Control mechanism for box-making machines



Feb. 16, 1960 ad RlKER 2,924,325

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOX-MAKING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15. 1959 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. char/ 5 0.7mm, BY N ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1960 c. o. RiKER 2,924,825

I CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOX-MAKING MACHINES Filed Feb. 13, 1959 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Char/es 0. R/ker auufid, 714mm ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Application February 13,-.19159; Serial No;- 793,079 i 4 Claims. (ClLI' If- 147 This invention. relates to box or crate making, machines and particularly to wireb ound' bx,-or. crate 'making machines having incorporated therein. an-..improved mechanism for controlling 3 the. operation, of ,,the,.various mechanisms of'the machine in ordertolcontrol. the positions of the staples driveninto the. boxes. and crates made therein.

US. Patent No. 2,304,510; issued-.December 8, 1942, discloses a wirebound box making machineofthe-general type to which the present invention relates. In such machines, properly assembled cleats and sidematerial-or slats are conveyed by continuously moving conveyor bands beneath a;transverse bank of stapling. unitswhich drive staples astride longitudinally extending binding; Wires, through the side material orslats andinto the cleats vto form.wireb'ound box blanks The conveyor vbands and the .stapling units are driven from a common electricmotor through separate clutches. When both of these clutches are engaged, the box parts. are; continuously moved beneath the stapli'ngunits by theconveyor-bands at a uniform rate and the staple forming and driving elements of the stapling units are reciprocatedat .a predetermined frequency, so that. staples are driven.,-into the.

moving box parts at'uniform intervals the so-calledfbasic staplespacing.

When the design ofthe particular type'of boxor crate blank' beingfabricated necessitates that theadjacentstaples in'each longitudinalrow ofstaples bespaced a ,dis-

tance greater than this "basic staple spacing, ,thetclutchr through which th e stapling units are driven is temporarily disengaged, while the clutch through which the conveyor bands are driven remains engaged. Thus the work will continue to move past the stapling units without any staples being driven; When the stapling unitj clutchisagain reengaged, staples will again be driven, andfthespace-between the first staple so driven-and the laststaple driven prior-todisengagernent 'of the clutch will'b greaterrthan the basic staple spacing by a distance-proportional tot-the lengthof time'that the stapling unit clutchlwas. disengaged.

' US. Patent No. 2,482;370, issued SeptemberZO, 1949, discloses a box makingmachine' having a remote pattern control chain for controlling the stapling unit clutchlto position the staples along the box or crate blanks as.desired. This pattern control chain is driven by and in synchronism with the conveyor bands through a clutch which is electrically controlled'by a switchactuated by control elements on the conveyor bands. These control elements actuate the switch to energize the clutch and initiate movement of the pattern'chain each time. the leading end of a box or crate blankarrives' in; position to be operatedon by the stapling units. The clutch is disengaged to stop the pattern chain by means of a separate switch actuated by a control element on the pattern chain each time-the pattern chain completes-one revolution. Other control elements spaced along the pattern chain actuate a pattern 2,924,825 Patented Feb. 16,196.01

elements kno.wnr as, khockin pins?)'.actuate.-thepattern switch to,-cause.,engagement of the stapling-unit clutch and the interveningelenients (known as .knockout pins) actuate the switcli to, cause disengagement of the clutch, These pins are .so positioned on. the pattern. chain that the stapling unit clutch is engaged and disengaged at suchtirnes thatthe staples .are. driven, into the .rnoving'box blanks at the desired. positions.

Thestapling unit clutchtis actuated by. a earn-0n the stapling, unit drive .shaft ,unitstthrough a toggle assembly; The arrangementtissuchthat .the.cam. will actuate the. clutch only 'ifthetwo links ofsthe toggle-are aligned with each other; if-the', toggle. is .bent at its *knee it is-re movedfrom engagement-.withthe cam. Thisarrangernentnot onlyderives the power for operatingtheclutch from? the main motorothrough, the stapling unit drive shaft, but

it insures that the stapling units are, alwaysstopped at-.

the top of theirrstroke,. wnen .tney areout of engagementwith the movingtboxparts This primary toggle assembly is controlledtby, a, secondarytoggleassembly which,

in turn is actuated by,,a.solenoi the stapling unit drive tshaftisibeneathathe, main toggle,:. the toggle could not straighten and. thestaplingunit driveshaft would make aifullradditionalrevolution .before the:- clutch was disengaged,1.during;whichttime -the stapling units. would drive. an, additional. transverse row of staples in .the.box parts. Since. the conveyor bands would have stopped in the meantime, thisnadditi'onal transverse rowof staples would bedriven,closento-rtherpreviousrow of. staples than the. basic, staple, spacing, ,.and the-normalstapling pattern oftnerboxiwouldbecupset, producing a probable cull. 7

To avoid this. difiiculty,rtheaforementioned Patent No.-- 2,304,510 disclosed a synchronizing apparatus comprising a switch which is effectively connected inzparallel with the manually operated runrstopfl switch. This synchronizing swtch is normally closed but is openedonce dur-" ingleach. stapling cycle byha scam. which-is (fixed on thehappens until. the synchronizing :switch is opened: When this occurs, the solenoid whichcontrols the toggle through which the stapling unit ,driveeclutchtis..actuated is deen-' ergized, allowing ,the, toggles tQstraighten; when the high point of the cam next .ridesundenthe .maintoggle; the clutch .is disengaged. to .stopihestapling. units, The--syn-' chronizing camlisviadjustedwso thatthe solenoid isde-' energized during the time when the low pointofithemam is .oppositethe maintoggle, to insuresthat thetoggle will straighten and be actuated-during-the samestaplingcycle in which the. manual.switch-is;thrown-. Within this permissible .range, the synchronizing cam' iswadjusted to maintain the .basicl staplewspacing when the 'machine' is i stopped and restarted.

In machineslof the ztype illustrated-and"described in the aforesaid Patent:No. 2,482,370,]the operators switch is provided with three positions, respectivelydesignated" run,, stop? and.safety.- The stop positionxis'used to stop, both. the. conveyor bands and the stapling units in a synchronized position, whileathe, safety: position: is

used to stop the conveyor bands-when the stapling units are not running; however if the,@operatorsrswitch thrown to .the safety position while the-:staplin'g units are running, the, machine stops -;in anunsynchronized posi tion and the. staples-driven int0:-;the;box .or :crate after operation of the machine: is resumedraree misplaced; 5 On? the other hand, if the switch is thrown to the stop posi-- tion when the stapling units are not operating, the conveyor bands will not stop. Because the conveyor bands will always stop in the safety position, it has become a general practice for the operators of such machines to stop them in the safety position. As previously stated, this stops the machine in an unsynchronized position when the stapling units are in operation, and since the stapling units are in operation most of the time, staples are usually mispositioned when the machine is thus stopped and restarted.

- The present invention provides a two-position operators switch, having only one stopping position, in which the conveyor bands and stapling units are always stopped in synchronized positions when the stapling units are in operation. and the conveyor bands are stopped even when the stapling units are inoperative. This is made possible by providing a new control circuit with a multiplesection pattern switch means. One section of this pattern switch means operates in the usual manner to control the starting and stopping of the stapling units, while the other section acts as a sensing means to control the effect of throwing the operators switch to the stop position, in a manner dependent upon whether the stapling units are in operation. If the stapling units are running, throwing the manual switch to the stop position will stop the stapling units and will stop the conveyor bands through the synchronizing switch: if they are not, it will stop the conveyor bands immediately.

In addition, the invention provides a new mechanism for controlling the stapling unit clutch, which further improves the staple pattern control.

In wirebound box or crate making machines of the tvpe illustrated and described in the aforesaid Patent No. 2.482.370, a spring is provided'to return the two toggles whichcontrol the stapling unit drive clutch to their straightened condition when the solenoid is de energized. The adjustment of this spring is rather critical. Reducing the force required to break the tog les would create a hazard that they might buckle accidentally. On the other 'hand, increasing the force required to break the toggles would overload the solenoid, and perhaps burn it out. or perhaps render the solenoid inoperative to break the toggle or at least inconsistently change its timing.

Moreover, the'spring inherently exerts a much greater force when the armature of the solenoid is fully seated than it exerts when the toggles arestraightened, which means that during the first part of its movement, the spring affords substantial assistance in straightening the toggles, but assists only slightly in holding the tog les in the straightened position. And, as previously mentioned, the force of the spring works against the solenoid-when the latter is energized to break the toggles.

When properly adjusted within the limits indicated, the spring imparts a comparatively slow return action to the toggles, which creates difiiculties in the operation of the machine.

As previously mentioned, the synchronizing cam is normally adjusted to maintain the desired basic staple spacing when the machine is manually stopped and restarted. However, the slow action of the return spring seriously limits the permissible range of setting of the cam. For example, the synchronizing cam cannot be set to trip the synchronizing switch very late in the stapling cycle and-still give the spring enough time to straighten thetoggles before the high point of the cam arrives at the main toggle. Thus the main toggle could not straighten until the cam rotated past the high point to present the low portion of the cam to the toggle, and the toggle would not be actuated until the high point of the cam came round again Therefore the stapling unit drive shaft would make a full additional revolution and an additional staple would be driven after the conveyor bands were stopped, and since the work was not moving during the entire interval since the next to last i staple was driven, the desired basic staple spacing would not be maintained.

Another problem is involved in the use of remote pattern chains of the type disclosed in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,482,370, particularly where the manual switch is thrown to the stop position just before the last staple of a group of staples is driventhat is, just before the knockout pin on the remote pattern chain has engaged the patterncontrol switch. The over-travel of the conveyor bands and the remote pattern chain may cause the knockout pin to engage the switch before the conveyor bands and remote pattern chain come to a stop, throwing the pattern control switch to the position for disengaging the stapling unit clutch. Therefore, when the manual switch is again thrown to the run position, the stapling units will not function to drive the last staple in the group.

In wirefeed pattern control systems of the type where in the pattern'chain includes an operating element corresponding to each stapling cycle during the making of a box blank, and wherein the chain is not stopped after each revolution and restarted simultaneously with the start of the next box blank, the making of an additional staple or the omission of a staple will put the pattern chain out of phase, displacing the stapling pattern on the box blanks until the machine is stopped and the pattern chain is reset.

The auxiliary pneumatic clutch control of the present invention eliminates or materially reduces these difiiculties. This device comprises a pneumatic cylinder, in place of the aforementioned spring, together with control apparatus to cause the cylinder to exert a force on the toggles at the desired times only. This, of course, reduces the load on the solenoid. It also produces much faster movement of the toggles than was heretofore possible. Moreover, it eliminates the inherent tendency of the spring to cause a' bounce at the end of the stroke of the solenoid armature as it is moved to straighten the toggles. Since the toggle mechanism must be at rest to cause proper engagement of the brakes and disengagement of the clutch, the bouncing produced by the spring increased thetime required to engage the brakes. Therefore, by eliminating the bounce, the present invention further reduces the minimum staple knockout distance, and substantially eliminates the aforementioned disadvantage.

In summary, the following desirable objectives are realized by applying the two-position operators switch and auxiliary pneumatic clutch control of the present invention to a box or crate making machine of the type illustrated and described in the aforementioned patents:

(1) Culls are reduced because a more accurate staple pattern is produced.

' (2) Smaller staple knockout distances are permitted, thus providing more flexibility in staple patterns and box designs.

(3). Higher machine speeds are permitted, thus increasing production rates.

(4) The possibility of error in the position to which the operators switch is thrown to stop the machine is substantially eliminated, thus assuring proper synchronization and avoiding culls resulting from stopping and restarting the machine.

' (5) The possibility that the staple control mechanism may get out of synchronization is appreciably reduced.

(6) Because of thepositive action of the pneumatic cylinder, the adjustment of the clutch control mechanism is less critical, and less maintenance is required.

(7) There is less chance of the main clutch solenoid burning out, because the force required to break the toggle mechanism is reduced.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of an illustrative control circuit embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the 'fabricating'section of a wirebound box making'machine embodying features of the invention, as viewed from the left-hand side of the machine, with the positions of certain concealed partsshown in broken lines.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the units of the machine, as'viewed from the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the side of the machine opposite to that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary topplan view of one of the'automatic controlling units provided by the present invention, attached to the remote pattern control unit appearing at the upper right-hand side of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same unit taken on the line 66 "of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the stapling unit clutch and brake mechanism of the machine, in particular the actuating mechanism provided by the invention.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the actuatingmechanism of Figure 7 as viewed from the side which appears at the right of that figure.

In the electrical circuit of Figure 1, the operators switch 0 is shown in the run position, with its contacts '0 and O closed. As shown in Figure 3, this switch is controlled by a lever 2. Whenthis'lever 2 is thrown to the stop position indicated in solid lines, contacts 0 and 0 (Figure 1) open while contacts 0 and 0 close. The closure of contacts 0 energizes the winding of a reset relay D, closing its normally open contacts D D and D When the operators lever 2 (Figure 3) is then thrown back to the run position, as shown in broken lines, the contacts 0 and 0 of switchO (Figure 1) are opened, while its contacts 0 and 0 are closed, as shown in Figure 1. Contacts D D and D of reset relay D remain closed even after contact 0 of operators switch 0 is opened, the relay coil being energized through the holding contacts D With relay contacts D and D closed, the closure of contacts 0 and 0 of the operators switch 0 energizes the synchronizing solenoid 4, the winding of stop-run relay B and conveyor clutch solenoid 12. As may be seen in Figure 4, the energization" of the synchronizing solenoid 4 pulls up a'rod6 which holds the synchronizing switch 8 closed so that it cannot beopened as the synchronizing cam 10 is rotated. The energization of the conveyor clutch solenoid 12 pulls the brake release rod '14 upwardly, releasing the conveyor clutch control brake 15 against the resistance of a spring 17 and engagingv the conveyor clutch (not shown), allowing the motor 19 to drive the conveyor bands 16'and the remote pattern chain 18.

Referring again to Figure 1, the energization of relay B closes its normally open contacts B B B and opens its normally closed contacts B B energizes the winding of a slave relay E, which closes its normally open contacts E Referring to Figures 5 and 6, as the pattern chain 18 moves, a pin 21 on one of the knockin blocks on the chain engages one of the teeth of the sprocket 23 to index the sprocket and the associated pattern cam 22 through one-sixth of a revolution, or 60". During the first of such rotation, the pattern cam 22 opens the air cylinder switch 24. As may be seen in Figure 1, the opening of this switch 24 de-energizes the air cylinder solenoid valve 26. V

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the de-energization of the solenoid valve 26 releases air fro-m the air cylinder 28 through a quick relief valve 30, and the air cylinder solenoid valve 26.

Referring again to Figure 6, as the pattern cam 22 rotates through the next 30, it raises an actuating lever 36, simultaneously actuating the pattern switch 32 and pattern sensing switch 34 to the positions shown in broken lines in Figure 1. This actuation of the pattern switch The closure of contacts.

. lines.

seen in Figure 7, the energization of the solenoid :38 retracts a plunger 40 and the parts attached thereto. These parts include a clevis '42 into which an upwardly extending portion of an upper horizontal bar 46 is threaded and held by a locking nut 44. This upper horizontal bar &6 is connected to a lower horizontal bar 48 by means of two rods 50 threaded at each end into the bars 46 and 48. The threaded portion at one end of each rod 50 has a right-hand'thread, while that at the opposite end has a left-hand thread, so that rotating the rods by means of. a wrench varies the spacing of the upper and lower bars 46 and 48. Lock 'nuts 52 are provided for securing the rods in the adjusted position.

The lower horizontal bar 48 is connected to a clevis 54 by a pin 56. This clevis 54 is doweled to the piston rod 58 of the air cylinder 28, which is rigidly'mounted on a bracket 6% afiixed to the outboard frame 62 of the machine.

The vertical movement of these parts produces movement of the pivotally attached horizontal toggle unit 64 and the vertical toggle unit 66 which is pivotally connected thereto between their straightened positions, shown in full lines, and their collapsed positions, shown in broken When the solenoid 38 is energized, the toggles move to the latter position, in which the roller 68 of the vertical toggle unit 66 is removed from contact wit the control cam 70 which is keyed to the main drive shaft 72. Thus the lever 74 is released for slight downward movement to impart a counter-clockwise rotation to a rock shaft 76 (see also Figure 2), thereby releasing the stapling unit brake '78 (Figure 2) and allowing the stapling unit clutch 80 (Figure 4) to clutch the rotating main drive pulley 82 to the 'main' shaft 72. The stapling units 84 (Figure 4) are thus driven by the motor 19 through the main shaft 72 (Figure '2) to perform cyclically the operation of 'making andidriving staples into the work upon each revolution of main shaft 72 until the pin 85 on'one of the knockout blocks 86 (Figure 5) on the pattern chain 18 indexes the sprocket 23 and the pattern cam 22 (Figure 6) through an additional As said cam moves through the first half of this angle, the air cylinder switch 24 (Figure 6) is closed, then, as the cam is rotated through the final 30, the actuating lever 36 (Figure 6) drops down, simultaneously actuating switches 32 and 34 to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1. As may be seen in Figure 1, this actuation of the switch 32 breaks the circuit to the main clutch solenoid 38 and, coupled with the previous closure of the switch 24, it closes the circuit to the air cylinder solenoid valve 26, causing it to open and supply air under pressure to the air cylinder 28 (Figure 7). As may be seen in Figure 7, this releases the solenoid plunger 40 and causes the air cylinder 28 to pull the horizontal toggle unit 64 and the vertical toggle 66 to their straightened positions, as .shown in solid lines. The knockout blocks 86 (Figure 5) on the pattern chain 18 are so located that the .cam follower roller 68 (Figure 7) is thus moved downwardly at a time when the low portion 0 the clutch control cam 70 is opposite it.

As the main shaft 72 continues to rotate, the high portion of the cam 7 0. lifts the vertical toggle unit 66, and

this movement, through lever 74, rocks shaft 76 in a clockwise direction, engaging the stapling unit brake 78 and disengaging the stapling unit clutch 80. This brings the main shaft 72 and the stapling units 84 (Figure 4) to rest. As the conveyor bands 16 (Figure 4) and pattern chain '18 continue in motion, another knockin block 20 (Figure 5) again indexes the sprocket 23 and the pattern cam 22, whereupon the control'cycle is repeatedto create the desired staple pattern.

. The operators switch O'may be thrown to the stop" position either when both the conveyor 'bands 16 (Fig- "ure 4) and the stapling units84 are operating, or when only the conveyor bands are in motion. The operation 7 of the circuit under these two conditions will be described separately.

When both the conveyor bands 16 and the stapling units 84 are operating, the pattern switch 32 and the pattern sensing switch 34 are both closed. When the operators lever 2 (Figure 3) is thrown to the stop position, shown in solid lines, contacts and 0 (Figure 1) of the operators switch 0 are opened and the synchronizing solenoid 4 is de-energized, allowing the rod 6 (Figure 4) to drop onto the synchronizing cam 10. As the synchronizing cam 10 rotates in synchronism with the main shaft 72, the roller 11 on the lower end of rod 6 rides down into the recess 13 on the synchronizing cam, allowing the rod 6 to drop to such extent as to open the synchronizing switch 8.

As may be seen in Figure 1, the opening of the synchronizing switch 8 de-energizes the conveyor clutch solenoid 12 and the stop-run relay B. Referring to Figure 4, the de-energization of the conveyor clutch solenoid 12 allows the brake release rod 14 to be pulled downwardly by the spring 17, engaging the conveyor clutch brake 15 and disengaging the conveyor clutch (not shown), thus bringing the conveyor bands 16 and the remote pattern chain 18 to rest. At the same time, referring to Figure 1, the de-energization of the stop-run relay B opens its contacts B de-energizing the stapling unit clutch solenoid 38 and closes its contacts B energizing the air cylinder solenoid valve 26. With the stapling unit clutch solenoid 38 de-energized and the air cylinder solenoid valve 26 energized, the stapling units 84 come to rest in the manner previously described. The synchronizing cam 10 (Figure 4) is adjustable to produce the timing relationship between the stapling units 84 and conveyor bands 16 necessary for proper positioning of the staples when said machine is stopped and restarted.

In the second condition, wherein only the conveyor bands are running, the pattern switch 32 (Figure l) and the pattern sensing switch 34 are in the positions shown, with the stapling unit clutch solenoid 38 de-energized and the stapling units 84 (Figure 4) at rest. As the operators lever 2 (Figure 3) is thrown to the stop position, contacts 0 and 0 of switch 0 (Figure 1) are opened, breaking the only remaining circuit to the con veyor clutch, solenoid 12. Thus the conveyor clutch solenoid is de-energized and the conveyor bands 16 and the pattern chain 18 come to rest as previously described.

The circuit shown in Figure 1 contains the following additional switches for the purposes specified:

a. An air cylinder overload switch 90 which may be opened to stop the machine should any portion of the control circuit fail.

b. A set-up switch 92 which, when thrown to the position opposite to that shown, opens the circuit to the stapling unit clutch solenoid 38 and closes the circuit to the air cylinder solenoid valve 26, permitting the conveyor bands 16 (Figure 4) and the pattern chain 18 to operate without the stapling units 84, even though the pattern switch 32 is actuated by the knockin blocks 20 (Figure and knockout blocks 86 on the pattern chain 18. This set-up switch is inserted in the circuit to permit setting of the spacer blocks 88 on the conveyor bands 16 preparatory to the making of boxes.

c. A remote stop switch 94 which may betplaced at any convenient location around the machine, and which may be actuated to stop the machine. When this switch 94 is actuated to open its contacts, the reset relay D is de-energized, opening its contacts D D and D When these relay contactsare opened, the machine comes to rest in the same manner as when the operators lever 2 (Figure 3) is thrown to the stop position to actuate the switch 0 (Figure 1). However, the machine can not be put into motion again until the operators lever 2 is thrown to the stop position to re-energize the reset relay D. After the reset relay D is re-energized, full control of the machine is returned to the operator, and

the machine may be started by throwing the operators lever 2 to the run position.

The other parts of the'machine which appear in the drawings and which are not specifically described in this specification, are fully described in the aforementioned Patents Nos. 2,304,510 and/or 2,482,370.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objectives have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the specific embodiment of the invention which is described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings is intended as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as restrictive of the scope thereof or of the coverage of this patent, which is limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a wirebound box making machine of the type having conveyor bands for moving assembled box parts past a transverse row of stapling units, and means including a pair of electrically controlled clutches for respectively driving said conveyor bands and said stapling units, improved means for controlling the operation of said clutches and the resulting positions of the staples driven in said box parts, comprising a movable pattern carrier and means for driving the same in synchronism with said conveyor bands, adjustably positioned switch actuating elements carried by said pattern carrier, pattern switch means including at least two sets of contacts actuated under control of said switch actuating elements, movablessynchronizing switch actuating means and means fortdriving the same in synchronism with said stapling units, a synchronizing switch actuated by said synchronizing switch actuating means, manually controlled twoposition stop-run switch means including a plurality of sets of contacts, one of the sets of contacts of said pattern switch means and one of the sets of contacts of said stoprun switch means being so connected for control of the stapling unit drive clutch that actuation of said stoprun switch means to the stop position and alternate actuations of said pattern switch means initiate disengagement of said stapling unit drive clutch to stop said stapling units, means so connecting said synchronizing switch with another set of contacts of said pattern switch means and with another set of contacts of stop-run switch means for control of said conveyor drive clutch that when said pattern switch means is in the position for stopping said stapling units, actuating said stop-run switch means tothe stop" position disengages said conveyor clutch to stop said conveyor bands, whereas when said pattern switch means is in the other position, said conveyor clutch is not disengaged until said synchronizing switch is actuated.

2. In a wirebound box making machine of the type having conveyor bands for moving assembled box parts past a transverse row of stapling units, and means for driving said conveyor bands and stapling units, including a pair of solenoid-controlled clutches for respectively controlling the driving of said conveyor bands and said stapling units, improved means for controlling the operation of said clutches and the resulting positions of the staples driven in said box parts, comprising a movable pattern carrier and means for driving the same in synchronism with said conveyor bands, adjustably positioned switch actuating elements carried by said pattern carrier, pattern switch means including at least two sets of contacts actuated under control of said switch actuating elements, movable synchronizing switch actuating means and means for driving the same in synchronism with said stapling units, a synchronizing switch actuated by said synchronizing switch actuating means, manually controlled two-position stop-run switch means including a plurality of sets of contacts, means connecting one of the sets of contacts of said stop-run switch means and one of the sets of contacts of said pattern switch means in series with the solenoid which controls said stapling unit' drive clutch across a source of electrical power whereby actuation of either of said sets of contacts breaks the circuit to said solenoid to initiate disengagement of said clutch and stop said stapling units, means connecting another set of contacts of said stop-run switch means in series with the solenoid which controls the conveyor drive clutch across a source of electrical power and means connecting the contacts of said synchronizing switch and another set of contacts of said pattern switch means in series with one another and in parallel with the last-mentioned contacts of said stop-run switch means, whereby when the contacts of said pattern switch means are open, actuating said stop-run switch means to open its last-mentioned contacts breaks the circuit to the solenoid which controls the conveyor clutch to disengage said conveyor clutch and stop said conveyor bands, whereas when the contacts of said pattern switch are closed, the circuit to the latter said solenoid is not broken to disengage the conveyor clutch until said synchronizing switchis actuated to open its contacts.

3. In a wirebound box making machine of the type having conveyor bands for moving assembled box parts past a transverse row of stapling units, and means for driving said conveyor bands and stapling units, improved means for controlling the operation of said conveyor bands and stapling units to control the positions of the staples driven in said box parts, comprising an electrically controlled conveyor drive clutch connected in the drive train of said conveyor bands, a stapling unit drive clutch connected in the drive train of said stapling units, a linkage movable into operative position between said stapling unit drive clutch and the latter said drive train to cause disengagement of said clutch by said drive train, a fluid-pressure cylinder for moving said linkage into said operative position when pressure fluid is supplied to said cylinder, an electrically controlled valve for controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said cylinder, a solenoid for moving said linkage out of such operative position upon energization of said solenoid, a movable pattern carrier and means for driving the same in synchronism with said conveyor bands, adjustably positioned switch actuating elements carried by said pattern carrier, pattern switch means actuated under control of said switch actuating elements, said pattern switch means including at least three sets of contacts, movable synchronizing switch actuating means and means for driving the same in synchronism with said stapling units, a synchronizing switch actuated by said synchronizing switch actuating means, manually controlled two-position stop-run switch means including a plurality of sets of contacts, means connecting one of the sets of contacts of said pattern switch means and one of the sets of contacts of said stoprun switch means in series with said electrically controlled valve across a source of electrical power and connecting another of the sets of contacts of said pattern switch and one of the sets of contacts of said stop-run switch means in series with said solenoid whereby actuation of said stop-run switch means to the stop position and alternate actuations of said pattern switch means by said switch actuating elements de-energize said solenoid and actuate said valve to supply pressure fluid to said cylinder to move said linkage into operative position and initiate de-energization of said stapling unit drive clutch, and means connecting another set of contacts of said stoprun switch means in series with the solenoid which controls the conveyor drive clutch across a source of electrical power and means connecting the contacts of said synchronizing switch and another set of contacts of said pattern switch means in series with one another and in parallel with the last-mentioned contacts of said stop-run switch means, whereby when the contacts of said pattern switch means are open, actuating said stoprun switch means to open its last-mentioned contacts breaks the circuit to the solenoid which controls the conveyor clutch to disengage said conveyor clutch and stop said conveyor bands, whereas when the contacts of said pattern switch are closed, the circuit to the latter said solenoid is not broken to disengage the conveyor clutch until said synchronizing switch is actuated to open its contacts.

4. In a wirebound box making machine of the type having conveyor bands for moving assembled box parts past a transverse row of stapling units, and means for driving said conveyor bands and stapling units, improved means for controlling the operation of said stapling units to control the positions of the staples driven in said box parts, comprising an electrically controlled conveyor drive clutch connected in the drive train of said conveyor bands, a stapling unit drive clutch connected in the drive train of said stapling units, a linkage movable into operative position between said stapling unit drive clutch and its drive train to cause disengagement of said clutch by said drive train, a fluid-pressure cylinder for moving said linkage into such operative position when pressure fluid is supplied to said cylinder, an electrically controlled valve for controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said cylinder, a solenoid for moving said linkage out of such operative position upon energization of said solenoid, a movable patterncarrier and means for driving the same in synchronism with said conveyor bands, adjustable positioned switch actuating elements carried by said pattern carrier, pattern switch means actuated by said switch actuating element, said pattern switch means being so connected for control of said solenoid and said valve that on alternate actuations of said pattern switch means, said solenoid is alternately energized and de-energized and said valve is alternately closed and opened respectively to move said linkage alternately out of and into such operative position.

No references cited. 

